Knoxville, Tenn.-based Pilot Flying J, the operator of more than 750 travel centers around the U.S. and Canada, says that based on a recent study it commissioned, Americans are eager to get out and travel this summer and they’re eager to do it in a vehicle.The survey of more than 2,000 adults aged 18-plus who are drivers found that the COVID-19 is inspiring people to travel this summer, with 65 percent of the respondents saying they plan to increase the number of trips this summer.
More than half of the respondents – 53 percent – say they plan to take a road trip this summer, and slightly more than a third – 35 percent said they would prefer to drive rather than flying.
And for those that will be taking road trips, 52 percent of them said they are more likely to be taking an outdoors-focused trip.
Regarding COVID-19, it has changed the way that people will plan for traveling. Half of the respondents said their future road trips would include traveling with spare masks and gloves; 40 percent said they would only be stopping at pre-planned places that they know are clean and safe; and 37 percent said they would pack different supplies.
Pilot Flying J said it took the survey in honor of National Road Trip Day, which it said is May 22.
